Starting therapy can be intimidating, so I've put together a little guide to make the process easier.
Paying for Therapy
Medicaid: If you don’t have insurance, Medicaid covers some mental health treatment in every state. What is covered and the price of co-pays (if any) varies by state. Local doctor’s offices and health departments can help you apply for Medicaid and explain coverage.
Sliding scale: Some clinics have income-based payment options called a sliding scale. Some online therapy companies, like BetterHelp, offer this or discounts.
Insurance: Ask your insurance provider what is covered and what the co-pays are.
How to Search for a Therapist
Ask your doctor. Many doctor’s offices have information on resources available in the community and can make recomend therapists/mental health clinics.
Search online. The database APA psychologist search is a helpful resource for locating therapists and psychologists. You can use filters to find providers that fit your area of focus and insurance. You can also Google “Therapists near (your city) who specialize in (your focus) and accept (your insurance)”. This will either pull up websites of offices that have those key words or databases.
Choosing a Therapist
Factors to consider:
Choose a therapist who specializes in your area of interest. Ex: Trauma, addiction, marital problem, anxiety, OCD, bipolar, depression, eating disorders, stress, etc.
Do you have a gender preference?
Do you want to discuss faith during sessions? If so, you may want to look for therapists that share your faith and advertise that as a topic they are open to address in sessions.
If you've been in therapy before, is there a therapeutic method that worked for you? Like CBT, EMDR, DBT, or any other method?
Your First Appointment
Your first appointment will be an intake assessmen. This is essentially a “getting to know you” session. Here is what to expect:
The person who does your intake may be your therapist or another trained employe/counselor who will begin creating a file for you at the clinic. This step may help them assign atherapist that fits your needs.
They will ask you about your mental health history, family history, screen for mental health challenges (anxiety and/or depression), and ask why you decided to start therapy.
What if I Don't Like My Therapist?
Just like friendship, a therapeutic relationship takes compatibility and time. Here are important things to consider:
Is there something your therapist does that you don’t like? If so, discuss it with them and see if this is something they are willing to change.
Is the therapist challenging you or are their methods/personality not compatible with you?
You can ABSOLUTELY switch therapists. Don’t worry about hurting their feelings because this is a natural part of the process. Your therapist may even be able to refer you to other practitioners that better fit your needs and personality.
Final Thoughts
Just like any new thing, starting therapy can be uncomfortable and take time to work. If the first therapist doesn’t work for you that doesn’t mean that therapy isn’t right for you. Try a few different practitioners, give the suggestions they make a try, and go from there. Maybe you’ll learn something valuable that makes your load a bit lighter and your life a bit brighter.
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